Winner of the first prize in the Health and Social Care category at the BMA Medical Book Awards 2016.

With chapters on 25 different countries, this practical and succinct guide to the world's major health systems explores what lessons can be drawn from each to improve health worldwide. Each chapter is an essay designed to give the reader essential knowledge of the history, strengths, weaknesses and lessons of each health system and provide a truly global health perspective – all in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee.

Whether a healthcare manager or a student studying health systems, this accessible and engaging book provides a fascinating insight in to how health care is delivered around the world.

1. The Perfect Health SystemCountry profilesPart 1: Asia and Australia2. Japan – Live long and prosper3. South Korea – National pride and global ambition4. China – Communist chimera?5. Hong Kong – Demography, democracy and destiny6. Malaysia – Reform some time, soon?7. Singapore – Wealth and health8. Indonesia – Largest single payer in the world.-9. Australia – Advance Australia Fair10. India – One country, two worldsPart 2: Middle East and Africa11 Qatar – Build and they will come12 Israel – The best kept secret in global health?13 South Africa – No more false dawnsPart 3: Europe14. Russia – A distressed and distressing system15. The Nordics – Decentralised welfare utopia?16. The Netherlands – Competition and social solidarity17. Germany – Doctor knows best18. Switzerland – You get what you pay for19. Italy – No longer 'la dolce vita'20. Portugal – The price of austerity21. France – Neither Beveridge nor Bismarck but the Republic22. England – The NHS. In place of fearPart 4: The Americas23 Canada – At the crossroads24 The US – Let's face the music and dance25 Mexico – Unfinished business26 Brazil – Order and progress?Part 5: Global Challenges27. Universal Healthcare – Triumph of political will28. Same Problem, Different Country – The paradox of change29. Clinical Quality – The more I know, the less I sleep30. Value Walks – There is no healthcare without the workforce31. Patients As Partners – Renewable energy32. Climate Change and Sustainability – Our dirty little secret33. Ageing – Every cloud has a silver liningPart 6: Conclusion34 Conclusion – We wouldn't start from hereKey Statistics at a Glance

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Britnell is Chairman and Partner of the Global Health Practice at KPMG in the UK and leads their Global Center of Excellence.

Mark masterminded the largest single new hospital building in the history of the NHS and helped develop the NHS Plan – a ten year plan for investment and reform. He speaks and writes regularly on international health affairs and the NHS and has consistently been voted one of the most influential people in the industry.

Mark Britnell is Chairman and Partner of the Global Health Practice at KPMG in the UK and leads their Global Center of Excellence.

Mark masterminded the largest single new hospital building in the history of the NHS and helped develop the NHS Plan – a ten year plan for investment and reform. He speaks and writes regularly on international health affairs and the NHS and has consistently been voted one of the most influential people in the industry.